Stickers with players' autographs at the Shanghai Major 2024 tournament have become not only symbols of support for favorite teams but also an interesting investment object. The JBa (Gold) sticker from the Wildcard team stood out as one of the ten most expensive on the market. Its popularity is explained not only by the player's sporting achievements but also by its linguistic connotations.
How the nickname influenced the popularity
The player JBa, who plays for Wildcard, is not a leading star of the CS2 scene, but his autographed sticker has caused a real sensation among Chinese fans. In Chinese, his name “jībā” (鸡巴) translates to “penis”. Combined with a humorous connotation, this word is actively used in everyday speech. This circumstance made the JBa sticker an object of attention and attracted numerous buyers, especially in China.
The sticker's popularity grew rapidly, and it is currently valued at $116.87, ranking seventh among the most expensive stickers at the Shanghai Major 2024. It is important to note that the value of a sticker exceeds the value of many famous players' autographs, which further emphasizes the cultural impact in esports.
What does the sticker market look like at Shanghai Major 2024?
Top 10 most expensive stickers at Shanghai Major 2024 (Gold):
Other stickers also show a high level of interest, especially among Chinese fans. This trend proves that the esports market depends not only on the individual achievements of players but also on cultural characteristics.
What's next?
The popularity of JBa's sticker demonstrates how unexpected factors, such as a name or cultural nuances, can influence the esports market. This could serve as a precedent for future players and teams looking to utilize such features to create marketing strategies.
Shanghai Major 2024 continues to surprise fans, proving that esports is not only a game but also a cultural phenomenon.
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